Thill-coupling



(No Model.) C. CATHAN.

' THILL GOUPLING.

Patented Apr; 7, 1896.

NTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLESCATHAN, OF BELOIT, KANSAS.

THlLL-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 557,552, dated April'7, 1896.

Application filed Junel, 1895. Serial No. 552,151. (No model.)

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LOHARLES CATHAN,a citizen of the United States,residing at Beloit, in the county of Mitchell and State of Kansas, haveinvented a new and useful Thill- Coupling, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to an improvement in thill-couplings.

The object of" the present invention is to simplify and improve theconstruction of devices of the nature above referred to, and to providea novel form of coupling by means of which the pole or shafts may beattached to the axle of any vehicle that is provided with the usualaxle-clip without removing the coupling-pin.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the courseof the subjoined description.

To the above end the invention consists in certain novel features anddetails of construction and arrangement, as hereinafter fully described,illustrated in the drawings, and finally embodied in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of thethill-iron constructed in accordance with this invention and having thelocking-plate secured thereto. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view ofthe sliding locking-plate detached. Fig. 8 is a similar view of thebearing-block and the yoke by' means of which said block is connectedwith the coupling-pin of the axle-clip. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectionthrough the axle-clip and thill-iron, showing the several parts inoperative relation.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in theseveral figures of the drawings.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, 1 designates an axle-clip of theusual construction formed with an oppositely-disposed pair offorwardlyprojecting rigid arms 2, said arms being provided withhorizontally-alined perforations for the reception of the coupling pinor bolt 4 and spaced asufficient distance apart to receive between themthe rear end of the thill-iron, all being of the ordinary construction,such as is used in connection with the forward axles of the greatmajority of buggies, carriages, and other vehicles.

5 designates a bearing-block of suitable material which is grooved inone of its faces corresponding to and adapted to fit snugly against thecoupling pin or bolt 4. Said bearing-block is supported with relation tosaid coupling pin or bolt by means of a thin metallic yoke 6, comprisingan oppositely disposed pair of arms, which are perforated to admit thecoupling pin or bolt 4, and a crossbar or web 7, connecting said armsand embracing the opposite side of the bearing-block 5 to that uponwhich the groove is formed. The thickness of said bearingblock aboutcorresponds to the diameter of the coupling pin or bolt 4.

The thill-iron (indicated at 8) is provided in its rear end with avertically-extending slot 9, which is open at the bottom to admit ofsaid thill-iron being placed over and brought into engagement with thecoupling pin or bolt of the axle-clip. The rear wall or portion of thethill-iron is extended downwardly a sufficient distance below the planeof the lower face of said thill-iron to admit of the same beingperforated, as shown at 10, said perforation being adapted to receive arearwardlyprojecting pin or stud 11 on a slotted lockingplate 12. Thelocking-plate l2 is provided with a longitudinally-extended slot 13 andis secured to the lower face of the thill-iron by means of a headedscrew or rivet 14, which passes through and engages said slot 13 andenters a socket or perforation in the thilliron. By means of thisconstruction the locking-plate 12 is adapted to slide longitudinally ofthe thill-iron a sufficient distance to withdraw the pin or stud 11 fromthe perforation 10, above referred to.

15 indicates a lug or projection on the forward end of the slidinglocking-plate, for the purpose of enabling said locking-plate to berocked upon the pin or screw 14, and engaging the pin 11 with theperforation 10, or disengaging the same, as required.

16 represents a thumb-screw which passes through a threaded perforationin the rear end of the locking-plate adjacent to its interlockingconnection with the rear portion of the thill-iron and in verticalalinement with the open slot 9 of the thill-iron, said screw beingadapted also to engage a socket in the lower face of the bearing-block5, yoked to the coupling pin or bolt 4 of the axle-clip.

16"L is a'lock-nutfor the screw 16.

IOO

From the foregoing description the operation of the thill-coupling willbe readily understood.

W'ith the bearing-block pendent beneath the coupling pin or bolt of theaxle-clip the slotted rear end of the thill-iron is passed over saidcoupling pin or bolt until the latter rests within the upper end of theopen slot of the thill-iron. The locking-plate is now manipulated untilthe rearwardly-projecting pin or stud l1 thereof is brought into linewith the perforation l0 in the rear wall or portion of the thilLiron.The sliding locking-plate is then moved rearwardly until said pin llpasses through the perforation l() and the rear end of saidlocking-plate abuts against the corresponding portion of the thill-iron.The thumb-screw 16 is now operated to force the bearing-block snuglyagainst the coupl ling pin or bolt of the axle-clip, at the same timedrawing the thill-iron firmly and snugly down upon said coupling pin orbolt. The parts are thus firmly pressed together and all loose play andrattling are effeetually prevented. By means of the set-screw 16 wear istaken up as fast as it occurs.

The device is so simple and easy of manipulation that the change from apole to shafts may be very quickly and easily eeeted, and this withoutthe aid of tools.

Should the wearing block 5 become too much worn, it will be evident thatit may be quickly and easily replaced by a new one.

If desired, the yoke for the block 5 may be dispensed and with saidblock placed in position by hand.

Changes in the forni, proportion, and minor details of construction maybe resorted to y bearing against the under side of the pin or bolt, anda locking-plate having a pivotal connection with the under side of thethill-iron at one side of the slot therein and a positive interlockingengagement with the iron at the other side of said slot, and a set-screwmounted i in the locking-plate adjacent to the interlocking connectionthereof with the thill-iron and adapted to work against the under sideof said bearing-block, substantially as described.

E2. In a thill-coupling, a thill-iron provided with a downwardly-openingslot, and`aJ locking device adapted to close the mouth of said slot, incombination with a beariligbloek, a a yoke for supporting said bearing-block with relation to the coupling-pin of an axle-clip, and athumb-screw carried by said locking device and adapted to be engagedwith said bearing-block, for the purpose and substantially as described.

In testimony that l claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto afxed mysignature in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES CATHAN. \\'itnesses S. J. FREEMAN, NV. C. PERDUE.

